New upgrade award on Thai and devaluation
Jul 21, 2014, 4:45 pm
#121
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
Jul 21, 2014, 6:00 pm
#122
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: KKC/TPA
Programs: All statuses lapsed; now I'm just a free-agent, and loving it!
Posts: 1,245
So there's been talk by some of leaving ROP and going for another Star Alliance program. Who would you go to, and why?
What I'd really like to know is beyond the reward charts of other programs. Special offers for Golds, etc. THAI had been pretty good with respect to the two year qualification for Gold level, the yearly upgrade they gave to Golds, and the yearly half-off deal on one award. Is anybody else doing anything like that, inside or outside of Star Alliance?
What I'd really like to know is beyond the reward charts of other programs. Special offers for Golds, etc. THAI had been pretty good with respect to the two year qualification for Gold level, the yearly upgrade they gave to Golds, and the yearly half-off deal on one award. Is anybody else doing anything like that, inside or outside of Star Alliance?
Jul 21, 2014, 9:36 pm
#123
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Singapore
Programs: SQ *G, BA Gold, Bonvoy Ambassador Elite LFT Titanium , Hyatt Discoverist, ALL Diamond
Posts: 666
So there's been talk by some of leaving ROP and going for another Star Alliance program. Who would you go to, and why?
What I'd really like to know is beyond the reward charts of other programs. Special offers for Golds, etc. THAI had been pretty good with respect to the two year qualification for Gold level, the yearly upgrade they gave to Golds, and the yearly half-off deal on one award. Is anybody else doing anything like that, inside or outside of Star Alliance?
What I'd really like to know is beyond the reward charts of other programs. Special offers for Golds, etc. THAI had been pretty good with respect to the two year qualification for Gold level, the yearly upgrade they gave to Golds, and the yearly half-off deal on one award. Is anybody else doing anything like that, inside or outside of Star Alliance?
I have been a great fan of TG ROP for many years and every single flight redemption has been approved after spending a day on the ws in F and C. Problem I see is that the UPG is already quite expensive. I forked out more than 2000 SGD for a return in upgradeable fare for a return SIN-CDG. So the UPG has become very expensive over the years, not counting the taxes on award redemption. For 2 C tickets, one upgrade and one redemption, my bill was close to 4k, the price of one C ticket during promotion period. I fly enough to qualify on SQ and LH senator together with TG but I hardly see the point of continuing on TG (besides burning miles from my NH account). I am sad to let it go and I enjoyed the perks but I am afraid, there are choices out there and TG doesn't add up anymore.
Jul 21, 2014, 10:04 pm
#124
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Sunny Singapore
Programs: TG*G, SQ, QF
Posts: 911
I think TK are probably the nearest in terms of low threshold for *G status and good earning opportunities on their own metal but here in Singapore, not having a credit card that earns in their program means they are no use to me.
Apart from Krisflyer the only other Star carrier I can credit to is EVA via the local citibank Premier miles card and I find nothing compelling in their program and as someone who would be borderline every year to maintain *G status with SQ, my strategy is to plonk 20k miles into A3 to ensure *G status and then to just earn and burn in KF..
Jul 21, 2014, 10:30 pm
#125
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: BKK
Programs: ROP *G
Posts: 197
I think the original poster had a typo. The standard TG Amex = 25 baht per 1 ROP mile. Although it's pretty easy to spend abroad or get other special promotions and get it down to 16 baht per ROP mile. Every 16baht I spend abroad now after spending more than 100k baht abroad is now equal to 1 ROP mile which is $0.50 per mile for AMEX and Citibank gets you ever so slightly better.
I'm also with HCO......not walking away from TG, but will have some words with Citibank and Amex cards now. For me it just doesn't make sense to walk away from TG as I am based in BKK. Next month will be earning 25% more miles, but even though redeeming has doubled for J and F class awards there has been a maximum of 20% increase in Y class redemption. Guess I will be redeeming in Y from now on for vacation unless I use my GUP or perhaps 50% Gold redemption. It's fine...I'm only 26 and have already flown a few times in F with my gf on Thai to FRA and I'm grateful for that.
Below is a comprehensive chart that I have tabulated:
Economy class redemption
25% more miles earned for ROP G paid fare compared to previously
50% more miles earned for ROP P paid fare compared to previously
Old vs New
from 1,000 miles
1) 25,000 vs 25,000 ..... Same
from 1,001 - 2,000 miles
2) 35,000 vs 35,000 ..... Same
from 2,001 - 3,600 miles
3) 45,000 vs 54,000 ..... 20% increase
from 3,600 - 4,800 miles
4) 55,000 vs 66,000 ..... 20% increase
from 4,801 - 8,000 miles
5) 70,000 vs 84,000 ..... 20% increase
from 8,001 - 12,500 miles
6) 90,000 vs 98,000 ..... 9% increase (Essentially only to LAX)
Business class redemption
50% more miles earned for ROP G paid fare compared to previously
75% more miles earned for ROP P paid fare compared to previously
Old vs New
from 1,000 miles
1) 40,000 vs 48,000 ..... 20% increase
from 1,001 - 2,000 miles
2) 55,000 vs 66,000 ..... 20% increase
from 2,001 - 3,600 miles
3) 75,000 vs 150,000 ..... 100% increase
from 3,601 - 4,800 miles
4) 98,000 vs 196,000 ..... 100% increase
from 4,801 - 8,000 miles
5) 130,000 vs 260,000 ..... 100% increase
from 8,001 - 12,500 miles
6) 170,000 vs 340,000 ..... 100% increase
First class redemption
100% more miles earned for ROP G paid fare compared to previously
100% more miles earned for ROP P paid fare compared to previously
Old vs New
from 1,000 miles
1) N/A vs N/A ..... Same
from 1,001 - 2,000 miles
2) 70,000 vs 84,000 ..... 20% increase
from 2,001 - 3,600 miles
3) 110,000 vs 220,000 ..... 100% increase
from 3,601 - 4,800 miles
4) 150,000 vs 300,000 ..... 100% increase
from 4,801 - 8,000 miles
5) 185,000 vs 370,000 ..... 100% increase
8,001 - 12,500 miles
6) 230,000 vs 460,000 ..... 100% increase
Summary
GOLD Earning 25%, 50%, 100% more miles for Y, J, F classes flown
1) Economy class option
If you are a ROP *G member flying paid Y economy class it will take you 5% LESS to redeem for Y economy class.
If you are a ROP *G member flying paid Y economy class it will take you 75% LONGER to redeem for J business class.
If you are a ROP *G member flying paid Y economy class it will take you 75% LONGER to redeem for F First class.
2) Business class option
If you are a ROP *G member flying paid J business class it will take you 30% LESS to redeem for Y economy class.
If you are a ROP *G member flying paid J business class it will take you 50% LONGER to redeem for J business class.
If you are a ROP *G member flying paid J business class it will take you 50% LONGER to redeem for F first class.
3) First class option
If you are a ROP *G member flying paid F first class it will take you 80% LESS to redeem for Y economy class.
If you are a ROP *G member flying paid F first class it will take you 0% SAME to redeem for J business class.
If you are a ROP *G member flying paid F first class it will take you 0% SAME to redeem for F first class.
PLATINUM Earning 50%, 75%, 100% more miles for Y, J, F classes flown
1) Economy class option
If you are a ROP *P member flying paid Y economy class it will take you 30% LESS to redeem for Y economy class.
If you are a ROP *P member flying paid Y economy class it will take you 50% LONGER to redeem for J business class.
If you are a ROP *P member flying paid Y economy class it will take you 50% LONGER to redeem for F first class.
2) Business class option
If you are a ROP *P member flying paid J business class it will take you 55% LESS to redeem for Y economy class.
If you are a ROP *P member flying paid J business class it will take you 25% LONGER to redeem for J business class.
If you are a ROP *P member flying paid J business class it will take you 25% LONGER to redeem for F first class.
3) First class option
If you are a ROP *P member flying paid F first class it will take you 80% LESS to redeem for Y economy class.
If you are a ROP *P member flying paid F first class it will take you 0% SAME to redeem for J business class.
If you are a ROP *P member flying paid F first class it will take you 0% SAME to redeem for F first class.
Overall there better be some MUCH added benefits for ROP G and P members....perhaps more GUPS or PUPS and more frequent 50% or perhaps even 75% redemption awards for G and P members?
.....Please correct me if I am wrong with any of my figures or calculations
I'm also with HCO......not walking away from TG, but will have some words with Citibank and Amex cards now. For me it just doesn't make sense to walk away from TG as I am based in BKK. Next month will be earning 25% more miles, but even though redeeming has doubled for J and F class awards there has been a maximum of 20% increase in Y class redemption. Guess I will be redeeming in Y from now on for vacation unless I use my GUP or perhaps 50% Gold redemption. It's fine...I'm only 26 and have already flown a few times in F with my gf on Thai to FRA and I'm grateful for that.
Below is a comprehensive chart that I have tabulated:
Economy class redemption
25% more miles earned for ROP G paid fare compared to previously
50% more miles earned for ROP P paid fare compared to previously
Old vs New
from 1,000 miles
1) 25,000 vs 25,000 ..... Same
from 1,001 - 2,000 miles
2) 35,000 vs 35,000 ..... Same
from 2,001 - 3,600 miles
3) 45,000 vs 54,000 ..... 20% increase
from 3,600 - 4,800 miles
4) 55,000 vs 66,000 ..... 20% increase
from 4,801 - 8,000 miles
5) 70,000 vs 84,000 ..... 20% increase
from 8,001 - 12,500 miles
6) 90,000 vs 98,000 ..... 9% increase (Essentially only to LAX)
Business class redemption
50% more miles earned for ROP G paid fare compared to previously
75% more miles earned for ROP P paid fare compared to previously
Old vs New
from 1,000 miles
1) 40,000 vs 48,000 ..... 20% increase
from 1,001 - 2,000 miles
2) 55,000 vs 66,000 ..... 20% increase
from 2,001 - 3,600 miles
3) 75,000 vs 150,000 ..... 100% increase
from 3,601 - 4,800 miles
4) 98,000 vs 196,000 ..... 100% increase
from 4,801 - 8,000 miles
5) 130,000 vs 260,000 ..... 100% increase
from 8,001 - 12,500 miles
6) 170,000 vs 340,000 ..... 100% increase
First class redemption
100% more miles earned for ROP G paid fare compared to previously
100% more miles earned for ROP P paid fare compared to previously
Old vs New
from 1,000 miles
1) N/A vs N/A ..... Same
from 1,001 - 2,000 miles
2) 70,000 vs 84,000 ..... 20% increase
from 2,001 - 3,600 miles
3) 110,000 vs 220,000 ..... 100% increase
from 3,601 - 4,800 miles
4) 150,000 vs 300,000 ..... 100% increase
from 4,801 - 8,000 miles
5) 185,000 vs 370,000 ..... 100% increase
8,001 - 12,500 miles
6) 230,000 vs 460,000 ..... 100% increase
Summary
GOLD Earning 25%, 50%, 100% more miles for Y, J, F classes flown
1) Economy class option
If you are a ROP *G member flying paid Y economy class it will take you 5% LESS to redeem for Y economy class.
If you are a ROP *G member flying paid Y economy class it will take you 75% LONGER to redeem for J business class.
If you are a ROP *G member flying paid Y economy class it will take you 75% LONGER to redeem for F First class.
2) Business class option
If you are a ROP *G member flying paid J business class it will take you 30% LESS to redeem for Y economy class.
If you are a ROP *G member flying paid J business class it will take you 50% LONGER to redeem for J business class.
If you are a ROP *G member flying paid J business class it will take you 50% LONGER to redeem for F first class.
3) First class option
If you are a ROP *G member flying paid F first class it will take you 80% LESS to redeem for Y economy class.
If you are a ROP *G member flying paid F first class it will take you 0% SAME to redeem for J business class.
If you are a ROP *G member flying paid F first class it will take you 0% SAME to redeem for F first class.
PLATINUM Earning 50%, 75%, 100% more miles for Y, J, F classes flown
1) Economy class option
If you are a ROP *P member flying paid Y economy class it will take you 30% LESS to redeem for Y economy class.
If you are a ROP *P member flying paid Y economy class it will take you 50% LONGER to redeem for J business class.
If you are a ROP *P member flying paid Y economy class it will take you 50% LONGER to redeem for F first class.
2) Business class option
If you are a ROP *P member flying paid J business class it will take you 55% LESS to redeem for Y economy class.
If you are a ROP *P member flying paid J business class it will take you 25% LONGER to redeem for J business class.
If you are a ROP *P member flying paid J business class it will take you 25% LONGER to redeem for F first class.
3) First class option
If you are a ROP *P member flying paid F first class it will take you 80% LESS to redeem for Y economy class.
If you are a ROP *P member flying paid F first class it will take you 0% SAME to redeem for J business class.
If you are a ROP *P member flying paid F first class it will take you 0% SAME to redeem for F first class.
Overall there better be some MUCH added benefits for ROP G and P members....perhaps more GUPS or PUPS and more frequent 50% or perhaps even 75% redemption awards for G and P members?
.....Please correct me if I am wrong with any of my figures or calculations
Last edited by Mchamp; Jul 22, 2014 at 8:06 am
Jul 22, 2014, 4:27 am
#126
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: SAS *G
Posts: 458
So Amex offers to pay off part of the bill with points? Interesting... Time to call Amex and Citi and see what they have come up with now that they had some time to digest.
It is obvious that TG/ROP is really implementing the changes. I wouldn't even be surprised if they are also planning to increase the price of credit card miles. =P
Jul 26, 2014, 4:34 am
#127
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: BKK
Programs: LH M&M (SEN); TG ROP GOLD
Posts: 72
It's possible that ROP management may have taken some inspiration from SQ KrisFlyer for the the 100% increase on mileage needed for premium awards.
http://www.singaporeair.com/pdf/ppsc...wardCharts.pdf
The problem is TG ROP have decided to go for a ONEWAY chart only. SQ also has a ROUNDTRIP award chart.
Does anyone know of any other FFP which uses a ONEWAY chart only?
http://www.singaporeair.com/pdf/ppsc...wardCharts.pdf
The problem is TG ROP have decided to go for a ONEWAY chart only. SQ also has a ROUNDTRIP award chart.
Does anyone know of any other FFP which uses a ONEWAY chart only?
Jul 26, 2014, 7:41 am
#128
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
Jul 28, 2014, 2:04 am
#129
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: SAS *G
Posts: 458
New upgrade award on Thai and devaluation
I just talked to Amex Thai Platinum customer service. I think I got bumped to a supervisor due to my complicated question.
Anyway, they had no news of increased earnings due to the devaluation in ROP. But I was assured that they were always going to have promotions "so I can earn miles faster". (Well, they have to since their base earning rate is worse than their competitors).
Anyway, they had no news of increased earnings due to the devaluation in ROP. But I was assured that they were always going to have promotions "so I can earn miles faster". (Well, they have to since their base earning rate is worse than their competitors).
Jul 29, 2014, 5:11 am
#130
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: GSE
Programs: TG Gold
Posts: 441
Jul 29, 2014, 6:11 am
#131
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
In some cases tickets would have required double the miles; currently a flight from North America to Bangkok in first class requires 230,000 miles round trip, but under the proposed changes this would have become 230,000 miles each way – a 100% increase.
BTW, as a childish aside, I had a good laugh at the reporter's name.
Jul 29, 2014, 6:22 am
#132
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BKK
Programs: TG ROP Platinum, M&M Senator, IHG Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 8,328
but now it is also confirmed on TG website:
http://www.thaiairways.com/en_TH/new...p_awards.page?
I regret that the tier bonus is also postponed!
Jul 29, 2014, 6:54 am
#133
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 425
Sounds as if reason has prevailed, or at least injected a bit of realism into the drastic changes which many of us believed were ill thought-out and would have led to significant damage to the ROP programme and to Thai Airways.
I sincerely hope that any further proposed changes are a lot better thought through and a great deal more realistic.
For the moment, I'm extremely relieved.
I sincerely hope that any further proposed changes are a lot better thought through and a great deal more realistic.
For the moment, I'm extremely relieved.
Jul 29, 2014, 3:22 pm
#135
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Melbourne
Programs: Velocity Gold
Posts: 1,069
New upgrade award on Thai and devaluation
Wow! This shows that making contact and providing reason does work! At least someone at Thai is listening!
My thoughts are that there will be a devaluation down the track but it may not be as bad. I suspect they had no idea or hadn't even looked at what their competitors offered against what they were doing and how bad it really was, pretty much turning it in to one of the worst program's in the world.
Great to see!
My thoughts are that there will be a devaluation down the track but it may not be as bad. I suspect they had no idea or hadn't even looked at what their competitors offered against what they were doing and how bad it really was, pretty much turning it in to one of the worst program's in the world.
Great to see!